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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-21-2003-9d3ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 21, 2003 Action Agenda Item No. 9-d-3 SUBJECT: Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (OCHLT) Board of Directors DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): OCHLT Info Sheet INFORMATION CONTACT: Clerk's Office, ext. 2130, 2125, 2126, 2129 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 245-2130 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider an appointment to the Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (OCHLT). BACKGROUND: The Orange Community Housing and Land Trust was created in July 2001 as the result of merging two existing non-profit organizations: OCHC -Orange Community Housing Corporation and CLTOC -Community Land Trust in Orange County. A community land trust (CLT) keeps housing affordable for future generations by controlling the price owners receive when they sell their homes. The CLT model was created in the 1970s; there are presently over 120 CLTs throughout the United States. Since 1991, Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) had created a variety of rental and owner-occupied housing, focusing on families and individuals with income levels at or below median income in Orange County. Its operational funding was provided by the four local governments of Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Hillsborough and Orange County Government. In 1999, the CLTOC was established to provide opportunities for low and moderate income households to secure decent, affordable housing and keep it permanently affordable utilizing the community land trust model. CLTOC was staffed by OCHC and partnered with OCHC to develop the first land trust project, the Legion Road Townhomes in Chapel Hill. With the support of both organizations and the four local governments, OCHLT was formed in order to achieve greater operational and fiscal efficiency, as well as a strengthened mission and purpose regarding affordable housing. The OCHLT has an 18-member Board of Directors with one appointed by the BOCC. Mr. Wayne Kuncl, the former Board President, was appointed May 8, 2002 as the BOCC representative. However, because of a recent internal adjustment of the OCHLT membership, Mr. Kuncl is now serving in a Board seat reserved for the general population, and the seat reserved for the BOCC is now vacant. The BOCC may fill this seat with one of its own members. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Consider making an appointment to the Orange Community Housing and Land Trust as the Board may decide. Orange Community Housing and Land Trust Information for Board of Directors members Some background Orange Community Housing and Land Trust (OCHLT) was created in July 2001 as the result of merging two existing non-profit organizations. Since 1991, Orange Community Housing Corporation (OCHC) had created a variety of rental and owner-occupied housing, focusing on families and individuals with income levels at or below median income in Orange County. Its operational funding was provided by the four local governments of Orange County, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough. In 1999, the Community Land Trost in Orange County (CLTOC) was established to provide opportunities for low- and moderate- income households to secure decent, affordable housing and keep it permanently affordable utilizing the community land trust model. CLTOC was staffed by OCHC and partnered with OCHC to develop the first land trust project, the Legion Road Townhomes in Chapel Hill. With the support of both organizations and the four local governments, OCHLT was formed in order to achieve greater operational and fiscal efficiency, as well as a strengthened mission and purpose regarding affordable housing. A community land trust (CLT) keeps housing affordable for future generations by controlling the price owners receive when they sell their homes. It balances a homeowner's ability to develop wealth with the community's desire to maintain a variety of housing affordable to all of its citizens. The CLT model was created in the 1970s; there are presently over 120 CLTs throughout the United States. Composition of the Board of Directors • The Board shall represent a diversity of technical skills to enable the Board to make informed, well-balanced decisions on the economic viability and social impact of its activities • There shall be socio-economic, racial, gender and geographic diversity among the Board of Directors There are I8 directors, as follows • (6] Lessee Representatives Nominated by Lessee Members and elected by the Regular Membership • [6] General Representatives neral Members and elected by the Regular Membership Public Representatives --~_(1) Appointed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners (1) Appointed by the Chapel _Town Council___. _ _ .-_ --__-. (1) Appointed by Carrboro Board of Aldermen (1) Appointed by the Hillsborough Town Board (1) Appointed by The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1) Nominated and elected by the OCHLT Board of Directors, representing a local nonprofit organization that provides housing or other services for low- ormoderate-income people. OCNLT Injorrnalion for Board ojDirectors membus Scprembcr 2, 2003 l • Time Commitme~zt Historically, the OCHLT Board has met once each month (2"d V~Tednesday) for 90 minutes. Attendance at these regular board meetings is critical OCHLT's operations are complex and require board members to stay up-to-date regarding issues facing the organization. . Board members must be willing and able to commit to a minimum average of 6-8 hours per month. This will include not only a regulaz boazd meeting but also .,serving on a board committee. In addition, Baard members are expected to attend an annual board training (historically, 1 day in July) and an annual planning retreat (historically, 1 day in early January). • Board committees Presently there are two standing committees as identified in the bylaws. Executive Committee Lessee Membership Committee We anticipate the formation of other new committees during 2002-2003 to further the work of OCHLT, particularly in the azeas of membership, fund-raising, and education/public relations. 3. Financial commitment Board members must be willing to make a financial commitment. Every Boazd member does not have to contribute at the same level; we certainly recognize that some can give far more than others. But everyone can give something. One hundred percent of the Board needs to financially support the work of OCHLT. Asking the community to give when Board members aze not makes the organization less credible. 4. Contribution of self Boazd members should bring some special talent, skill, knowledge, contact or other contribution to the work of the board. This can include experience in the community being served, extensive boazd experience, energy and enthusiasm for the work of the organization, willingness to learn board skills, or technical skills such as legal or public relations know-:how. 5. Willingness to serve Boazd members should bring themselves to the work of the Boazd. They must have a desire to serve and be willing to share their ideas, experiences, feelings, insights, fears, questions, etc. They must be willing to read the organization's materials, ask questions, think things through, make suggestions, and express honest feelings. 6. Facilitate Boazd members must see themselves as facilitators for the organization, providing support to staff and other Boazd members. They must be open to working with other people, respecting new ideas, and taking reasonable risks. OCHLT Advisory Committee This Committee will be formally established at the 2002 Annual Meeting. It will be composed of folks with a wide variety of expertise who are interested in offering their time and services to OCHLT board and staff on a volunteer consulting basis, but are not interested in serving on a formal boazd or committee. Examples of azeas of expertise are construction, azchitecture, real estate, legal, fund-raising, community-building etc. OCHLT IRjormatioa for Board ojDirectors members September 2, 2003